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National
United States Regulations
40 CFR PART 1700—UNIFORM NATIONAL DISCHARGE STANDARDS FOR VESSELS OF THE ARMED FORCES


PART 1700—UNIFORM NATIONAL DISCHARGE STANDARDS FOR VESSELS OF THE ARMED FORCES



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Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1322, 1361.

Source: 64 FR 25134, May 10, 1999, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—Scope
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§ 1700.1 Applicability.
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(a) This part applies to the owners and operators of Armed Forces vessels, except where the Secretary of Defense finds that compliance with this part is not in the interest of the national security of the United States. This part does not apply to vessels while they are under construction, vessels in drydock, amphibious vehicles, or vessels under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation other than those of the Coast Guard.

(b) This part also applies to States and political subdivisions of States.

§ 1700.2 Effect.
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(a) This part identifies those discharges, other than sewage, incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels that require control within the navigable waters of the United States and the waters of the contiguous zone, and those discharges that do not require control. Discharges requiring control are identified in §1700.4. Discharges not requiring control are identified in §1700.5. Federal standards of performance for each required Marine Pollution Control Device are listed in §1700.14. This part is not applicable beyond the contiguous zone.

(b) This part prohibits States and their political subdivisions from adopting or enforcing State or local statutes or regulations controlling the discharges from Armed Forces vessels listed in §§1700.4 and 1700.5 according to the timing provisions in §1700.6, except to establish a no-discharge zone by State prohibition in accordance with §1700.9, or to apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition in accordance with §1700.10. This part also provides a mechanism for States to petition the Administrator and the Secretary to review a determination of whether a discharge requires control, or to review a Federal standard of performance for a Marine Pollution Control Device, in accordance with §§1700.11 through 1700.13.

§ 1700.3 Definitions.
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Administrator means the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or that person's authorized representative.

Armed Forces vessel means a vessel owned or operated by the United States Department of Defense or the United States Coast Guard, other than vessels that are time or voyage chartered by the Armed Forces, vessels of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or vessels that are memorials or museums.

Discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel means a discharge, including, but not limited to: graywater, bilgewater, cooling water, weather deck runoff, ballast water, oil water separator effluent, and any other pollutant discharge from the operation of a marine propulsion system, shipboard maneuvering system, crew habitability system, or installed major equipment, such as an aircraft carrier elevator or a catapult, or from a protective, preservative, or absorptive application to the hull of a vessel; and a discharge in connection with the testing, maintenance, and repair of any of the aforementioned systems whenever the vessel is waterborne, including pierside. A discharge incidental to normal operation does not include:

(1) Sewage;

(2) A discharge of rubbish, trash, or garbage;

(3) A discharge of air emissions resulting from the operation of a vessel propulsion system, motor driven equipment, or incinerator;

(4) A discharge that requires a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit under the Clean Water Act; or

(5) A discharge containing source, special nuclear, or byproduct materials regulated by the Atomic Energy Act.

Environmental Protection Agency, abbreviated EPA, means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Marine Pollution Control Device, abbreviated MPCD, means any equipment or management practice installed or used on an Armed Forces vessel that is designed to receive, retain, treat, control, or discharge a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, and that is determined by the Administrator and Secretary to be the most effective equipment or management practice to reduce the environmental impacts of the discharge consistent with the considerations in Clean Water Act section 312(n)(2)(B).

No-discharge zone means an area of specified waters established pursuant to this regulation into which one or more specified discharges incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels, whether treated or untreated, are prohibited.

Secretary means the Secretary of the United States Department of Defense or that person's authorized representative.

United States includes the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Canal Zone, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Vessel includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on navigable waters of the United States or waters of the contiguous zone, but does not include amphibious vehicles.

Subpart B—Discharge Determinations
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§ 1700.4 Discharges requiring control.
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For the following discharges incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels, the Administrator and the Secretary have determined that it is reasonable and practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution Control Device for at least one class of vessel to mitigate adverse impacts on the marine environment:

(a) Aqueous Film-Forming Foam: the firefighting foam and seawater mixture discharged during training, testing, or maintenance operations.

(b) Catapult Water Brake Tank & Post-Launch Retraction Exhaust: the oily water skimmed from the water tank used to stop the forward motion of an aircraft carrier catapult, and the condensed steam discharged when the catapult is retracted.

(c) Chain Locker Effluent: the accumulated precipitation and seawater that is emptied from the compartment used to store the vessel's anchor chain.

(d) Clean Ballast: the seawater taken into, and discharged from, dedicated ballast tanks to maintain the stability of the vessel and to adjust the buoyancy of submarines.

(e) Compensated Fuel Ballast: the seawater taken into, and discharged from, ballast tanks designed to hold both ballast water and fuel to maintain the stability of the vessel.

(f) Controllable Pitch Propeller Hydraulic Fluid: the hydraulic fluid that discharges into the surrounding seawater from propeller seals as part of normal operation, and the hydraulic fluid released during routine maintenance of the propellers.

(g) Deck Runoff: the precipitation, washdowns, and seawater falling on the weather deck of a vessel and discharged overboard through deck openings.

(h) Dirty Ballast: the seawater taken into, and discharged from, empty fuel tanks to maintain the stability of the vessel.

(i) Distillation and Reverse Osmosis Brine: the concentrated seawater (brine) produced as a byproduct of the processes used to generate freshwater from seawater.

(j) Elevator Pit Effluent: the liquid that accumulates in, and is discharged from, the sumps of elevator wells on vessels.

(k) Firemain Systems: the seawater pumped through the firemain system for firemain testing, maintenance, and training, and to supply water for the operation of certain vessel systems.

(l) Gas Turbine Water Wash: the water released from washing gas turbine components.

(m) Graywater: galley, bath, and shower water, as well as wastewater from lavatory sinks, laundry, interior deck drains, water fountains, and shop sinks.

(n) Hull Coating Leachate: the constituents that leach, dissolve, ablate, or erode from the paint on the hull into the surrounding seawater.

(o) Motor Gasoline and Compensating Discharge: the seawater taken into, and discharged from, motor gasoline tanks to eliminate free space where vapors could accumulate.

(p) Non-Oily machinery wastewater: the combined wastewater from the operation of distilling plants, water chillers, valve packings, water piping, low- and high-pressure air compressors, and propulsion engine jacket coolers.

(q) Photographic Laboratory Drains: the laboratory wastewater resulting from processing of photographic film.

(r) Seawater Cooling Overboard Discharge: the discharge of seawater from a dedicated system that provides noncontact cooling water for other vessel systems.

(s) Seawater Piping Biofouling Prevention: the discharge of seawater containing additives used to prevent the growth and attachment of biofouling organisms in dedicated seawater cooling systems on selected vessels.

(t) Small Boat Engine Wet Exhaust: the seawater that is mixed and discharged with small boat propulsion engine exhaust to cool the exhaust and quiet the engine.

(u) Sonar Dome Discharge: the leaching of antifoulant materials into the surrounding seawater and the release of seawater or freshwater retained within the sonar dome.

(v) Submarine Bilgewater: the wastewater from a variety of sources that accumulates in the lowest part of the submarine (i.e., bilge).

(w) Surface Vessel Bilgewater/Oil-Water Separator Effluent: the wastewater from a variety of sources that accumulates in the lowest part of the vessel (the bilge), and the effluent produced when the wastewater is processed by an oil water separator.

(x) Underwater Ship Husbandry: the materials discharged during the inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and repair of hulls performed while the vessel is waterborne.

(y) Welldeck Discharges: the water that accumulates from seawater flooding of the docking well (welldeck) of a vessel used to transport, load, and unload amphibious vessels, and from maintenance and freshwater washings of the welldeck and equipment and vessels stored in the welldeck.

§ 1700.5 Discharges not requiring control.
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For the following discharges incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels, the Administrator and the Secretary have determined that it is not reasonable or practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution Control Device to mitigate adverse impacts on the marine environment:

(a) Boiler Blowdown: the water and steam discharged when a steam boiler is blown down, or when a steam safety valve is tested.

(b) Catapult Wet Accumulator Discharge: the water discharged from a catapult wet accumulator, which stores a steam/water mixture for launching aircraft from an aircraft carrier.

(c) Cathodic Protection: the constituents released into surrounding water from sacrificial anode or impressed current cathodic hull corrosion protection systems.

(d) Freshwater Lay-up: the potable water that is discharged from the seawater cooling system while the vessel is in port, and the cooling system is in lay-up mode (a standby mode where seawater in the system is replaced with potable water for corrosion protection).

(e) Mine Countermeasures Equipment Lubrication: the constituents released into the surrounding seawater by erosion or dissolution from lubricated mine countermeasures equipment when the equipment is deployed and towed.

(f) Portable Damage Control Drain Pump Discharge: the seawater pumped through the portable damage control drain pump and discharged overboard during testing, maintenance, and training activities.

(g) Portable Damage Control Drain Pump Wet Exhaust: the seawater mixed and discharged with portable damage control drain pump exhaust to cool the exhaust and quiet the engine.

(h) Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Condensate: the drainage of condensed moisture from air conditioning units, refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerated spaces.

(i) Rudder Bearing Lubrication: the oil or grease released by the erosion or dissolution from lubricated bearings that support the rudder and allow it to turn freely.

(j) Steam Condensate: the condensed steam discharged from a vessel in port, where the steam originates from port facilities.

(k) Stern Tube Seals and Underwater Bearing Lubrication: the seawater pumped through stern tube seals and underwater bearings to lubricate and cool them during normal operation.

(l) Submarine Acoustic Countermeasures Launcher Discharge: the seawater that is mixed with acoustic countermeasure device propulsion gas following a countermeasure launch that is then exchanged with surrounding seawater, or partially drained when the launch assembly is removed from the submarine for maintenance.

(m) Submarine Emergency Diesel Engine Wet Exhaust: the seawater that is mixed and discharged with submarine emergency diesel engine exhaust to cool the exhaust and quiet the engine.

(n) Submarine Outboard Equipment Grease and External Hydraulics: the grease released into the surrounding seawater by erosion or dissolution from submarine equipment exposed to seawater.

Subpart C—Effect on States
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§ 1700.6 Effect on State and local statutes and regulations.
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(a) After the effective date of a final rule determining that it is not reasonable and practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution Control Device regarding a particular discharge incidental to the normal operation of an Armed Forces vessel, States or political subdivisions of States may not adopt or enforce any State or local statute or regulation, including issuance or enforcement of permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, controlling that discharge, except that States may establish a no-discharge zone by State prohibition (as provided in §1700.9), or apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in §1700.10).

(b)(1) After the effective date of a final rule determining that it is reasonable and practicable to require use of a Marine Pollution Control Device regarding a particular discharge incidental to the normal operation of an Armed Forces vessel, States may apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in §1700.10) for that discharge.

(2) After the effective date of a final rule promulgated by the Secretary governing the design, construction, installation, and use of a Marine Pollution Control Device for a discharge listed in §1700.4, States or political subdivisions of States may not adopt or enforce any State or local statute or regulation, including issuance or enforcement of permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, controlling that discharge except that States may establish a no-discharge zone by State prohibition (as provided in §1700.9), or apply for a no-discharge zone by EPA prohibition (as provided in §1700.10).

(c) The Governor of any State may submit a petition requesting that the Administrator and Secretary review a determination of whether a Marine Pollution Control Device is required for any discharge listed in §1700.4 or §1700.5, or review a Federal standard of performance for a Marine Pollution Control Device.

No-Discharge Zones
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§ 1700.7 No-discharge zones.
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For this part, a no-discharge zone is a waterbody, or portion thereof, where one or more discharges incidental to the normal operation of Armed Forces vessels, whether treated or not, are prohibited. A no-discharge zone is established either by State prohibition using the procedures in §1700.9, or by EPA prohibition, upon application of a State, using the procedures in §1700.10.

§ 1700.8 Discharges for which no-discharge zones can be established.
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(a) A no-discharge zone may be established by State prohibition for any discharge listed in §1700.4 or §1700.5 following the procedures in §1700.9. A no-discharge zone established by a State using these procedures may apply only to those discharges that have been preempted from other State or local regulation pursuant to §1700.6.

(b) A no-discharge zone may be established by EPA prohibition for any discharge listed in §1700.4 or §1700.5 following the procedures in §1700.10.

§ 1700.9 No-discharge zones by State prohibition.
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(a) A State seeking to establish a no-discharge zone by State prohibition must send to the Administrator the following information:

(1) The discharge from §1700.4 or §1700.5 to be prohibited within the no-discharge zone.

(2) A detailed description of the waterbody, or portions thereof, to be included in the prohibition. The description must include a map, preferably a USGS topographic quadrant map, clearly marking the zone boundaries by latitude and longitude.

(3) A determination that the protection and enhancement of the waters described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section require greater environmental protection than provided by existing Federal standards.

(4) A complete description of the facilities reasonably available for collecting the discharge including:

(i) A map showing their location(s) and a written location description.

(ii) A demonstration that the facilities have the capacity and capability to provide safe and sanitary removal of the volume of discharge being prohibited in terms of both vessel berthing and discharge reception.

(iii) The schedule of operating hours of the facilities.

(iv) The draft requirements of the vessel(s) that will be required to use the facilities and the available water depth at the facilities.

(v) Information showing that handling of the discharge at the facilities is in conformance with Federal law.

(5) Information on whether vessels other than those of the Armed Forces are subject to the same type of prohibition. If the State is not applying the prohibition to all vessels in the area, the State must demonstrate the technical or environmental basis for applying the prohibition only to Armed Forces vessels. The following information must be included in the technical or environmental basis for treating Armed Forces vessels differently:

(i) An analysis showing the relative contributions of the discharge from Armed Forces and non-Armed Forces vessels.

(ii) A description of State efforts to control the discharge from non-Armed Forces vessels.

(b) The information provided under paragraph (a) of this section must be sufficient to enable EPA to make the two determinations listed below. Prior to making these determinations, EPA will consult with the Secretary on the adequacy of the facilities and the operational impact of any prohibition on Armed Forces vessels.

(1) Adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the discharge are reasonably available for the specified waters.

(2) The prohibition will not have the effect of discriminating against vessels of the Armed Forces by reason of the ownership or operation by the Federal Government, or the military function, of the vessels.

(c) EPA will notify the State in writing of the result of the determinations under paragraph (b) of this section, and will provide a written explanation of any negative determinations. A no-discharge zone established by State prohibition will not go into effect until EPA determines that the conditions of paragraph (b) of this section have been met.

§ 1700.10 No-discharge zones by EPA prohibition.
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(a) A State requesting EPA to establish a no-discharge zone must send to the Administrator an application containing the following information:

(1) The discharge from §1700.4 or §1700.5 to be prohibited within the no-discharge zone.

(2) A detailed description of the waterbody, or portions thereof, to be included in the prohibition. The description must include a map, preferably a USGS topographic quadrant map, clearly marking the zone boundaries by latitude and longitude.

(3) A technical analysis showing why protection and enhancement of the waters described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section require a prohibition of the discharge. The analysis must provide specific information on why the discharge adversely impacts the zone and how prohibition will protect the zone. In addition, the analysis should characterize any sensitive areas, such as aquatic sanctuaries, fish-spawning and nursery areas, pristine areas, areas not meeting water quality standards, drinking water intakes, and recreational areas.

(4) A complete description of the facilities reasonably available for collecting the discharge including:

(i) A map showing their location(s) and a written location description.

(ii) A demonstration that the facilities have the capacity and capability to provide safe and sanitary removal of the volume of discharge being prohibited in terms of both vessel berthing and discharge reception.

(iii) The schedule of operating hours of the facilities.

(iv) The draft requirements of the vessel(s) that will be required to use the facilities and the available water depth at the facilities.

(v) Information showing that handling of the discharge at the facilities is in conformance with Federal law.

(5) Information on whether vessels other than those of the Armed Forces are subject to the same type of prohibition. If the State is not applying a prohibition to other vessels in the area, the State must demonstrate the technical or environmental basis for applying a prohibition only to Armed Forces vessels. The following information must be included in the technical or environmental basis for treating Armed Forces vessels differently:

(i) An analysis showing the relative contributions of the discharge from Armed Forces and non-Armed Forces vessels.

(ii) A description of State efforts to control the discharge from non-Armed Forces vessels.

(b) The information provided under paragraph (a) of this section must be sufficient to enable EPA to make the three determinations listed below. Prior to making these determinations, EPA will consult with the Secretary on the adequacy of the facilities and the operational impact of the prohibition on Armed Forces vessels.

(1) The protection and enhancement of the specified waters require a prohibition of the discharge.

(2) Adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal of the discharge are reasonably available for the specified waters.

(3) The prohibition will not have the effect of discriminating against vessels of the Armed Forces by reason of the ownership or operation by the Federal Government, or the military function, or the vessels.

(c) If the three conditions in paragraph (b) of this section are met, EPA will by regulation establish the no-discharge zone. If the conditions in paragraphs (b) (1) and (3) of this section are met, but the condition in paragraph (b)(2) of this section is not met, EPA may establish the no-discharge zone if it determines that the significance of the waters and the potential impact of the discharge are of sufficient magnitude to warrant any resulting constraints on Armed Forces vessels.

(d) EPA will notify the State of its decision on the no-discharge zone application in writing. If EPA approves the no-discharge zone application, EPA will by regulation establish the no-discharge zone by modification to this part. A no-discharge zone established by EPA prohibition will not go into effect until the effective date of the regulation.

State Petition for Review
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§ 1700.11 State petition for review of determinations or standards.
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The Governor of any State may submit a petition requesting that the Administrator and Secretary review a determination of whether a Marine Pollution Control Device is required for any discharge listed in §1700.4 or §1700.5, or review a Federal standard of performance for a Marine Pollution Control Device. A State may submit a petition only where there is new, significant information not considered previously by the Administrator and Secretary.

§ 1700.12 Petition requirements.
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A petition for review of a determination or standard must include:

(a) The discharge from §1700.4 or §1700.5 for which a change in determination is requested, or the performance standard from §1700.14 for which review is requested.

(b) The scientific and technical information on which the petition is based.

(c) A detailed explanation of why the State believes that consideration of the new information should result in a change to the determination or the standard on a nationwide basis, and an explanation of how the new information is relevant to one or more of the following factors:

(1) The nature of the discharge.

(2) The environmental effects of the discharge.

(3) The practicability of using a Marine Pollution Control Device.

(4) The effect that installation or use of the Marine Pollution Control Device would have on the operation or operational capability of the vessel.

(5) Applicable United States law.

(6) Applicable international standards.

(7) The economic costs of the installation and use of the Marine Pollution Control Device.

§ 1700.13 Petition decisions.
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The Administrator and the Secretary will evaluate the petition and grant or deny the petition no later than two years after the date of receipt of the petition. If the Administrator and Secretary grant the petition, they will undertake rulemaking to amend this part. If the Administrator and Secretary deny the petition, they will provide the State with a written explanation of why they denied it.

Subpart D—Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance Standards
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§ 1700.14 Marine Pollution Control Device (MPCD) Performance Standards. [Reserved]